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An Introduction to Genetic Archaeology
Apr. 22nd, 2014 12:58 pm(The final assignment for my archaeology class is to come up with an outline for a unit on a topic which was not already covered in the course. Here's my offering.)
After taking courses in both genetics and archaeology, I have become quite interested in research incorporating both. Genome mapping is one of archaeology's newest tools, and the information gathered in this way is fascinating.
Lecture 1: The Genome Treasure Map: GATC Marks the Spot
Genome mapping is being used as a sort of snapshot to study disease and heredity in long-dead people. So far, it has been used to learn more about only a few individuals and groups of people, but use of this tool is rapidly becoming more popular. The elite group of people whose genomes have been mapped includes a Spanish hunter gatherer, a Greenlandic Inuit, some Neanderthals, a Denisovan, Richard III (1), and Otzi the Iceman. Databases have been constructed for the genome sequences of Neanderthals (2) and Denisovans (3). With this technology, it may possible to determine characteristics of other extinct, ancient humans, too. One such group would be Homo floresiensis, the so-called "Hobbit" people of Indonesia (4).
The lecture would include the following basic information:
- what is genome mapping?
- how is DNA gathered from human remains
- what can be learned from this technique
- what has been learned about the people studied in this way
Recommended readings include:
- 'Startling and shocking': Key figures in the search for Richard III recount their reactions to the discovery of a skeleton at Grey Friars: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/media-centre/richard-iii/old-content/features/startling-and-shocking
- Richard III DNA tests to reveal hair, eyes and diseases of the King: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art467401-Richard-DNA-tests-to-reveal-hair-eyes-diseases-King
Lecture 2: The Relationship Between Hunters/Gatherers, Farmers, and Animals
As for a second lecture topic, we have other uses of genetic research in conjunction with archaeology to investigate. The genetic records of domesticated animals and crops reveals not only information about the animals of the time, but also as to the prehistory of farming and domestication. This blurred line between wild animals and domesticated ones potentially shows a blurred line between hunter/gatherers and farmers. Recent genetic studies have demonstrated that hunters/gatherers coexisted in geographic areas with farmers.
The lecture could include:
- What genetic studies of animals reveals about people's prehistorical relationship with animals
- The relationship between farmers and hunter/gatherers as determined by genetic research
- What plant genetics tell us about domestication of crops
Recommended readings include:
- The story of animal domestication retold: http://www.geneticarchaeology.com/research/The_story_of_animal_domestication_retold.asp
- How Farming Reshaped our Genomes: http://news.sciencemag.org/archaeology/2014/01/how-farming-reshaped-our-genomes
Related Exercises:
1. What other ways has genetic research been used in archaeology?
2. What ethical concerns are there with the genetic testing of human remains?
Your answer should be should be between approximately 400 and 750 words (with 750 as a maximum).
Works Cited:
1. The Discovery of Richard III. https://www.le.ac.uk/richardiii/
2. The Neandertal Genome. http://neandertal.ensemblgenomes.org/index.html
3. Denisovans, an ancient human group, have genome mapped. http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/the-ancient-human-genome-project-denisovan-dna-mapped/
4. New Fossils Help Bring Hobbit Humans to Life. http://news.discovery.com/human/evolution/new-fossils-hobbit-face-13010.htm
After taking courses in both genetics and archaeology, I have become quite interested in research incorporating both. Genome mapping is one of archaeology's newest tools, and the information gathered in this way is fascinating.
Lecture 1: The Genome Treasure Map: GATC Marks the Spot
Genome mapping is being used as a sort of snapshot to study disease and heredity in long-dead people. So far, it has been used to learn more about only a few individuals and groups of people, but use of this tool is rapidly becoming more popular. The elite group of people whose genomes have been mapped includes a Spanish hunter gatherer, a Greenlandic Inuit, some Neanderthals, a Denisovan, Richard III (1), and Otzi the Iceman. Databases have been constructed for the genome sequences of Neanderthals (2) and Denisovans (3). With this technology, it may possible to determine characteristics of other extinct, ancient humans, too. One such group would be Homo floresiensis, the so-called "Hobbit" people of Indonesia (4).
The lecture would include the following basic information:
- what is genome mapping?
- how is DNA gathered from human remains
- what can be learned from this technique
- what has been learned about the people studied in this way
Recommended readings include:
- 'Startling and shocking': Key figures in the search for Richard III recount their reactions to the discovery of a skeleton at Grey Friars: http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/press/media-centre/richard-iii/old-content/features/startling-and-shocking
- Richard III DNA tests to reveal hair, eyes and diseases of the King: http://www.culture24.org.uk/history-and-heritage/archaeology/art467401-Richard-DNA-tests-to-reveal-hair-eyes-diseases-King
Lecture 2: The Relationship Between Hunters/Gatherers, Farmers, and Animals
As for a second lecture topic, we have other uses of genetic research in conjunction with archaeology to investigate. The genetic records of domesticated animals and crops reveals not only information about the animals of the time, but also as to the prehistory of farming and domestication. This blurred line between wild animals and domesticated ones potentially shows a blurred line between hunter/gatherers and farmers. Recent genetic studies have demonstrated that hunters/gatherers coexisted in geographic areas with farmers.
The lecture could include:
- What genetic studies of animals reveals about people's prehistorical relationship with animals
- The relationship between farmers and hunter/gatherers as determined by genetic research
- What plant genetics tell us about domestication of crops
Recommended readings include:
- The story of animal domestication retold: http://www.geneticarchaeology.com/research/The_story_of_animal_domestication_retold.asp
- How Farming Reshaped our Genomes: http://news.sciencemag.org/archaeology/2014/01/how-farming-reshaped-our-genomes
Related Exercises:
1. What other ways has genetic research been used in archaeology?
2. What ethical concerns are there with the genetic testing of human remains?
Your answer should be should be between approximately 400 and 750 words (with 750 as a maximum).
Works Cited:
1. The Discovery of Richard III. https://www.le.ac.uk/richardiii/
2. The Neandertal Genome. http://neandertal.ensemblgenomes.org/index.html
3. Denisovans, an ancient human group, have genome mapped. http://www.cosmosmagazine.com/news/the-ancient-human-genome-project-denisovan-dna-mapped/
4. New Fossils Help Bring Hobbit Humans to Life. http://news.discovery.com/human/evolution/new-fossils-hobbit-face-13010.htm
